The silicone pad on the bottom of Apple’s expensive new smart speaker is leaving unsightly white rings on wooden surfaces.
Photograph: Samuel Gibbs for the Guardian

Early adopters of Apple’s new £319 HomePod smart speaker have started complaining that the “new sound of home” is leaving white ring marks on wooden surfaces that are difficult to remove.

One user tweeted Apple that the new speaker left “etched circles” on their wooden furniture within 20 minutes of use, while others found the speaker left deeper and more obvious marks in several places and on several different types of wooden surface.

Guy San Francisco (@Guyinsf415)

#homepod left rings on my wood furniture in less than 20 minutes of use. Thanks #apple I am glad a paid $400 to make perfect etched circles on my more expensive furniture. Guess I can not move it now to cover up the mark. Evil geniuses you are. #applesupportpic.twitter.com/eZng16barS

The issue appears to be related to the oils and surface polish in the wood reacting negatively with the silicone foot on the bottom of the 2.5kg speaker. The speaker requires a flat and solid surface in order to function correctly. Placing it on a coaster or mat negatively affects the audio quality, diminishing the bass response of the speaker – one of its key selling points.